Little Downsend Ashtead
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Primary
PUPILS
65
AGES
2 - 6
GENDER
Mixed
TYPE
Other independent school

This school was closed.

How Does The School Perform?

Excellent
NATIONAL AVG. 2.09
Independent Inspection
Report
(09/03/2023)
Full Report - All Reports
PREP

Independent preparatory schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum or submit test results to the Department for Education so there is no individual school performance data or star rating.

Visit the school's website to learn more about their unique curriculum, policies on testing and common leaver destinations (a good indicator of pupil progress). See our About page for information on Choosing A Prep School.

Day
Boarding Type
£1,069
to
£4,240
Day Fees Per Term

Leaver Destinations

View

School Video

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School Prospectus

22 Oakfield Road
Ashtead
KT21 2RE
01372 372311

See News and Open Days from Little Downsend Ashtead

School Description

Little Downsend Ashtead is the perfect place for little people with very big ideas. Located in the village of Ashtead in a beautiful Victorian character property, it has a small family feel that belies its innovative outlook. Behind the doors you will find children using cutting edge educational technology to progress their learning, nursery age children learning French, Music, Dance, Forest School and Sport from Specialist Teachers and engaging in creative projects with the Lego Foundation; a project for which Little Downsend became a Finalist in the ISA Awards 2021 for Innovation and Excellence in Early Years. Children’s achievement in the EYFS Early Learning Goals is outstanding, exceeding National and Surrey averages significantly. Wrap around care is offered from 7:45am until 6pm along with an array of extra-curricular clubs.

News, Photos and Open Days from Little Downsend Ashtead
Last update: 23 June 2023
TOURS OF LITTLE DOWNSEND


Our personal tours give you a perfect opportunity to see our schools in action. Vanessa Conlan, or the Head of School, will show you our fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities, introduce you to staff and children, and give you a sense of what a Downsend education has to offer. We will be delighted to talk about your child, how they learn, and any questions you may have. Our personal tours are delivered within the current government guidelines and are fully Covid-compliant.

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE


Our results are outstanding. In a truly remarkable year, we are delighted that our children achieved such remarkable results. In 2022, our Reception children met or exceeded their Early Learning Goals at rates significantly higher than the National or Surrey averages.

We are proud that 25% of children in Reception at Little Downsend exceeded the Early Learning Goal for writing, against a national average of 11%.

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SPECIALIST TEACHING


From the age of two, all Little Downsend children benefit from our dedicated, expert specialist teaching. Every week, our children welcome professionals in French, Dance, Forest School, Music, and Sports, immersing themselves in the passion and enthusiasm of the teacher. All Reception and Year One children have swimming lessons in our 25m pool at the main school

 

Teaching and Learning at Little Downsend
OUR THREE LITTLE DOWNSEND SCHOOLS

We have three Little Downsend schools, located in Ashtead, Epsom, and Leatherhead.

Based in beautiful Victorian buildings with exceptional landscaped play areas, our children benefit from large, airy rooms with high ceilings, equipped with the latest technology. Each school has a unique outdoor space, with covered play areas, sandpits, mud kitchens, race tracks, climbing equipment, vegetable patches, and large open fields for simply running about!

 

 

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Little Downsend Ashtead Parent Reviews



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Meet the Head: Vanessa Conlan

An experienced teacher of 25 years, the last 10 in headship, Vanessa is a graduate of the University of Southampton where she obtained a BEd (Hons) in Primary Education with Music.

Vanessa has taught in a range of schools throughout her career, including Lonesome Primary, Ashford Park Primary, Epsom Primary, Beecholme Primary and Liberty Middle School. Vanessa’s strengths lie in teaching, learning and assessment and she is passionate about the Early Years in particular. Vanessa is a mother of 2 energetic young boys, both at Downsend, and is a Harlequins Rugby club season ticket holder who loves to travel, camp and listen to live music.

Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?

The inspiration came from somewhere within! There isn't anything tangible I can put my finger on, from a young age it was always something I wanted to do. I have 2 younger siblings and my mum tells many stories of me making them play schools.

What achievement are you most proud of as Head?

Our recent achievement at Little Downsend for our innovative approach to the use of technology, even for our littlest people.

Achievements for me are never about awards and recognition, they are always about the impact on the children but being nominated for 2 innovation awards and being accepted into the Microsoft Showcase School Incubator Pathway really celebrates the amazing work of the Little Downsend team in delivering a truly excellent curriculum for our incredible little people.

What does a successful school look like to you?

A successful school is a school where everyone is thriving and growing, both children and staff. It is a happy school where everyone is working together and aiming high for a common purpose.

What is the most important quality you want every child to have when they leave your school? And why?

I want every child to have a true love and passion for reading - to take both joy and comfort from it and to use it as a tool to continue to nurture their curiosity, understanding that books are the key to unlock the world around them.

Please give 5 words to describe the ethos of your school.

Innovative
Inclusive
Incredible
Inspiring
Go getting

Little Downsend Ashtead Catchment Area Map

This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.